Major BARNESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what date the export duty on palm products was introduced in Sierra Leone in 1920; what the 1280W exports on palm oil from Sierra Leone had until that date been per annum: and what, since the date of the imposition of this duty, has been the exports of palm oil from Sierra Leone per annum?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLExport duties on palm kernels and palm oil were imposed in Sierra Leone for he first, time in January, 1918, and since been varied at different dates, the last changes being in the case of palm kernels in September, 1921, when the duty was raised from 10s. to per ton, and in the case of palm oil in February of this year, when the duty was reduced feint £4 3s. 4d. to £1 0s. 10d, per ton. The export of palm oil averaged 2,196 tons a year for the five years preceding 191w, and have since been as follows:
This fall in value gradually, but in the end completely, stopped t to trade. After April, 1921, prices rose gradually, but the export duty of £4:;s. a ton, together with the difficulty, which necessarily exists in bringing trade back into deserted channels, and the poor demand in England, delayed any revival of the trade in Sierra Leone. The gradually improving conditions and the reduction of the. duty are having a stimulating effect this year, and the export is steadily improving. In these circumstances there is no idea of remitting the tax further at present
Tons. 1918 1,085 1919 3,453 1920 2,066 1921 191 1922 (January-May) 820